The Famous Computer Cafe recovery and digitization project was done by Kay Savetz in 2024. If you have access to other episodes of Famous Computer Cafe on tape, please contact Kay Savetz.

00:00 Intro to show: talk of Bits and Bytes Show (computer convention for kids) at Disney Convention Center

02:42 ad: Lotus 1-2-3 at The Software Spot software store in west Los Angeles, CA

03:54 ad: Microsoft Multiplan spreadsheet for IBM PC and Mac at Software Center International, Torrence, CA

05:00 Interview with Frank Schwartz, President of Electronic Publishing Division at Simon and Schuster: describes Simon and Schuster; why they got into the computer software business; how he got into Simon and Schuster; mentions work at Atari; why he uses a Macintosh (had one of the first ones); has Osborne and Atari computers at home

10:15 ad: Microsoft Word at Software Supermarket

11:15 Continuation of Frank Schwartz interview: involvement with The Muppets for educational software; Kermit’s Electronic Story Maker; discussion of selling software in book form; Typing Tutor; JK Lassiter tax software; selling at computer stores, software stores, some mass merchandisers, rather than book stores

16:49 ad: SuperCalc 3 spreadsheet by Sorcim at Simply Software, Manhattan Beach, CA

18:03 Continuation of Frank Schwartz interview: discussion of expansion of computer industry; computers will be hidden inside of TV’s; transition into video; where Simon and Schuster is going with computers; productivity software, how-to software, music software; partnership with British record company (Island Records); expert system software for artificial intelligence; down the road will focus on video and laser discs; competition from other publishing houses and the little guys; what would you tell parents?

24:14 ad: Bank Street Writer by Broderbund (word processing) Strictly Software, Lawndale, CA

26:16 ad: free Commodore 64 giveaway from the Computer Cafe by sending a card indicating what computer they own or would like to own

27:36 ad: DBase III by Ashton Tatę at Sun Computers in Carson, CA

28:45 ad: same ad as earlier for Lotus 1-2-3

29:55 ad: same ad as earlier for Multiplan

31:11 Charlie Humphrey, editor Computer and Software News: goals of Computer and Software News; primary reader is computer dealer/retailer; what product is going to be introduced; what’s happening in dealer universe; started in Jan. 1983; market has shifted from technology-driven to marketing-driven; has become a consumer market; customers not as technical as in past; retail environment

37:00 ad: same ad as earlier for Microsoft Word

38:11 Continuation of Charlie Humphrey interview: interaction between consumer and computer retailer; estimates of range of computer dealers run from 3,500 to 22,000; shake-out in software industry

44:04 ad: same ad as earlier for SuperCalc

45:20 Continuation of Charlie Humphrey interview: computer magazines and publications and the shake-out there; 3 major software trends: ease-of-use started by Apple Macintosh, software with application for home user, software brand recognition; software packaging improvements; MSX competition discussion; dealers focusing on business market; someone will focus on home computer market

53:17 ad: same ad as earlier for Bank Street Writer

54:18 ad: same ad as earlier for Computer Cafe giveaway

55:32 ad: same ad as earlier for DBase III

56:44 Closing

57:30 end